Congratulations, Class of 2012 Sanford High School's graduates take charge of their futures

Thursday

Jun 7, 2012 at 3:15 AM

By Shawn P. Sullivan Sanford News Editor

SANFORD — Valedictorian Stacy Livingston told her fellow graduates that she and they were "standing on the brink of something we've never before experienced, taking a first step into the great unknown, the kindergarten of life."

Livingston made this declaration before a sea of red and white caps and gowns during Sanford High School's graduation ceremony at Cobb Stadium on Friday, June 1. More than 250 young men and women collected their diplomas that night and Livingston told them that the lessons they've learned — inside the classroom during these past four years, and out — will help them succeed in life.

So will courage.

"So as you step off this stage (and) step into the world, you'll be afraid, and that's all right because for every last time, there's a first time. For every moment your knees shake, there's a chance to stand, and for every voice that tells you you can't ... there's an opportunity to prove it wrong," she said.

For inspiration, Livingston provided examples of courage she has witnessed in her classmates over the years — the kind of courage in which one faces fears and achieves bravery.

"I didn't realize, at first, what so many of my classmates had in common," she said. "I didn't connect the boy who sings at the talent show with the girl who gives it right back to the bullies. I didn't draw a parallel between the girl who stands on stage and tells something close to her heart with the boy who takes an AP class, even though he has a learning disability. I never thought that the boy who comes out of the closet had similarities with the girl who finally speaks out against an abusive parent."

Livingston in particular praised one fellow graduate, Colin L'Heureux, who faced significant medical challenges this past year and did so with "dignity, grace and courage."

"I hope, as we move into the next chapter of our lives, that we can all carry a bit of Colin's bravery, honesty and energy with us," Livingston said.

Salutatorian Natalie Ledue boiled her speech down to a single message to her peers: "You are all important."

She looked out at the crowd and described the cross-section of individuals she saw — fellow students who have won championships and marched with the school band at President Obama's inauguration parade in 2009; who are artists, authors, film directors, photographers, dancers, models and poets; who are first-generation Americans and will be the first in their families to attend college; and who have survived significant challenges in life, from losing parents and siblings to undergoing complex surgeries.

"Starting tomorrow, we will be put to the test,' Ledue told her classmates. "Now this test will not be hard if you do one thing. As cliche as this may sound, you need to believe in yourself because you are important. Everyone who came here tonight to watch us march over this stage is eager to find out what we are capable of doing. But you also need to be eager. We have all come this far. We have the tools. We have the chance, so we need to run with it."

Before the ceremony, the graduates-to-be all lined up at one end of the football field and got ready to march to their seats at the other end. Jackie Archambault, who will major in liberal studies at the University of Maine at Orono this fall, said she was feeling "hyper and excited." Alexis Anatra, who has been accepted into the University of Southern Maine's nursing program, said she slept well on Thursday night and felt "proud and excited" about graduating.

"My heart's beating pretty fast," she said.

Jessica Andrews, who also will study nursing at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, said she was "nervous and excited" and "cold" too. The temperature was a cool 50 degrees on Friday night, but the good news was that the weekend's rain held off until Saturday morning.

Tommy Begin will attend Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts this autumn and will study filmmaking. He previously had attended three friends' graduation ceremonies and found it hard to believe his time had actually come.

"I've never imagined being in these shoes," he said moments before the commencement.

After the ceremony, graduates Amber Bryant and Matthew Violette shared their plans for the future.

Bryant beamed as she smiled, giggled and took sips from a Mountain Dew. She said she hopes to find a job this summer and save money to attend college. She wants to be a high school biology teacher, she said.

Violette said he was "excited" about the future and will try to find a job at a local child care center. He said he learned child care and parenting skills through a vocational class at Noble High School and hopes to work with children between the ages of three and five.

"After four years of high school, it's amazing we've come to this day," he said.

Congratulations to the graduates of Sanford High School's Class of 2012, who are listed below in alphabetical order.